Cativa Cativa Cativa & Ferrary Enzo

[happilyeverafter]

Alright..here we go with todays events!

Got to the barn, did two stalls and brought the kids in! Julie helped me by getting Cativa, so I didnt have to make two trips. Julie owns Blue, the blue roan QH that I rode last week

Worked with Enzo first, again today. Groomed him and he was pretty good...this weekend he has been fussy with getting his front hooves picked but he has been fabulous with his back ones. It is hard to pick his front feet up because he always turns and nibbles on your butt or tugs on your coat- even when you tie him up!

He wouldnt let me hold his foot up so I praised him when he let me pick it up and put it back down right away. Thats the thing with young ones...you have to praise them every time they do something, even the smallest thing, that is good!

tacked Enzo up- he was a pain....but that is Enzo through and through. He is SO fidgety and annoying! haha it was hard to put his bridle on because he is moving his head all around and chomping on the bit. Got everything on, went out to the arena, walked him around a few times. Then Julie came out and held him while I climbed up on the plastic mounting stool.

Enzo was pretty good with the stool. He walked around and danced a bit but it wasnt so bad. We practised me waving my arms around and jumping up and down on the stool, and also moving the saddle (wiggling it back and forth, tugging on the billets/flaps) and leaning on him.

Sandra was happy with about 10 minutes of that, and so we put him away!


After I had untacked him I got Cativa ready.

She was, in short, a super star.

Cativa the Diva is not a diva anymore!

Groomed her no problem, she was really good with her legs today, only stamped one front hoof when i brushed her legs. She is happiest when I just do long strokes right down her leg as opposed to doing short strokes over and over.

She was a doll to tack up as well- stood quietly while I put the saddle pad and saddle on and waited while I did up the girth. She lowers her head down to my level so I can put the bridle on over her ears and opens her mouth for the bit without me having to ask or encourage at all. Then she closes her mouth and stands patiently while I do up all the buckles (there are four -bit, flash, noseband and throat latch!- so it takes a few minutes).

Took her out in the arena- no one else was out which was nice! We walked around and I chatted to her while she checked everything out. Nothing was seeming to bother her!! She was just wandering around with me!

I decided to see what she would do with the plastic stool so we walked up to it...she sniffed it once and then poked around to see what was in the dirt. I started to kick and tap the stool with my foot; I tipped it back and forth and kicked it around her legs...she didnt even bat an eyelash.

We walked around the arena a few more times and then Christina showed up...she took Cativa and I got the stool. I jumped up and down, waved my hands in the air, put my weight on her back, pulled on the billets of the saddle, wiggled the saddle- literally we did everything we could think of. I even had my leg against her (as if I was going to mount) pushing on her side and poking at her and she just stood there and listened with her ears.

It was incredible. Christina was blown away. The worst Cativa the Diva did was turn her head around and look for a treat!! ...which I gave her, of course.

After I had taken her inside and untacked I was talking to Sandra, who hadnt worked with Cativa and I today, and told her how amazing Cat was. She said one thing to me: "It's time", grinned and walked away.

I'm assuming now that the plan, for Cativa anyway, is to lunge her next week and then start putting my weight on her and walking her around.

Basically I'll be lying on my tummy across the saddle and Sandra will be walking her around.


I'm so so so excited about todays progress.
Both kids did really well and are going to be rideable in no time at all!

[Mellu]

Eeeee Gill. What a girl she is .


So exciting!!

[Sarah]

That's exciting! They both sound as though they are doing wonderfully. Good luck with Cativa next time, let us know how things go!!!!!!!

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks Sarah

I'm going to the barn again on saturday and sunday, providing it isnt too cold, and so I'll have more updates for everyone then!

[happilyeverafter]

Update from yesterday, Saturday:

Did stall work, then brought both the kids inside. Worked with Enzo first...did the usual groom and tack up. We didnt do a whole lot, just walked around the arena for 10 minutes. There were four other horses in there all being worked at the same time, so it was really good for Enzo to get used to lots of things going on at once.

Put Enzo away and started to get Cativa ready. I had her half tacked up (was putting on her bridle) when Julie came to tell me that sandra wanted me to wait- too much going on in the arena!

So I waited a half hour (did another stall!) and then tacked Cat up again. Took her out to the arena and walked around for ten minutes. We were all just laughing at her because she is like a dog- follows me everywhere and doesnt complain about anything!

When I brought her back inside I played with her for a little while...worked on brushing her legs and touching her belly- silly mare!!!!


Longer update for todays progress!

[happilyeverafter]

Todays journal entry...(Sunday)


Went to the barn around 11. I did four stalls and then Julie and I braved the cold wind to bring Cativa and Enzo in. They're so well behaved, I love it. Throw a halter on and go...we dont even bother to do up the throat latch and you can just drop the lead and they wont walk on it or walk away from you.

Thats one thing I love about Sandra and AH: all the horses have good manners and are well trained.

Today was a BIG day for the kids.

They were both lunged for the second time in their lives. As per usual, Enzo was a bit of an idiot, and Cativa the Diva was a superstar.

I got Enzo ready first, again. He was a jerk today tho and absolutely did not want his bridle on. He plowed both sandra and I around the stall until we took another tactic and used positive reinforcement (treats) to encourage him to be better behaved. He was really good after he saw the apple! haha Silly boy.

Took him out to the arena, walked around for a few minutes and then Sandra got the lunge line. She clipped the line onto the inside of his halter while I held the lead rope, clipped under his chin.

Basically lunging works like this. Sandra stands in the middle and I walk out on the circle (on the outside). Our circle is about 15-20m big...when lunging a young horse you keep them close to you - so you can use the whip and so they dont drag you off hanging onto the end of the line,water skiing through the dirt!

I walk around the circle with the horse a couple times, then Sandra tells me to unclip, but I stay walking with them. Then Sandra says "okay Enzo (/Cativa) - trot!" and I start to jog. Once the horse is trotting forward Sandra says "go away!" and that is my cue to jog straight away from the horse.

After that, I'm the praiser. I have to keep yellign out "good boy Enzo" (or "Good Girl Cativa!") while Sandra lunges them.

Enzo did pretty good, but towards the end he started turning in. I think he was just sort of confused. So Sandra cracked the whip a couple of times and pushed him away from her and then he went back on the circle.

After 10 minutes of lunging I took him back on the lead and cooled him out.

Then I went back into the barn, put Enzo away and got Cativa.

Cativa was super well behaved in her stall. She gets kind of grumpy when you touch her belly or her legs. Sandra says it is a mare thing and that all the mares she has known are like it. Everytime I groom I make sure to spend lots of time poking at her and touching her belly and legs, just to get her used to the sensation.

Tacked her up no problem again. She always turns around to watch me saddle her up and to look for treats. Sometimes this is frustrating cause she sticks her nose right in the way when I'm trying to buckle up the girth or fix the billets!

She is absolutley amazing putting the bridle on. I think when I come back after reading week I'm going to try putting the bridle on normally. Today I took it off normally and she was perfectly fine with that!

Anyway, back on track...

Took her out to the arena, walked around while Christina and Jaye finished up their ride and then Sandra came out with the lunge line!

We did the same thing as with Enzo, except Cativa was better behaved haha of course!

It was super adorable when we were going to trot. I started to jog and Cativa looked at me with her ears pricked up as if to say "hey mom where are you going? okay, I'll come too!" and then she came trotting after me.

Sandra told me to go away so I resumed my duties giving Cativa lots of praise....Cat just kept on trotting around on a circle!!

Elaine and Alyssa and Christina were all watching and they couldnt believe how good Cativa was being for her second time lunging! Her woahs were pretty good although it is something we will definitley have to work on...and she only turned in once, just when Sandra was finishing up with her!

What a doll

After I had her untacked and put away, I sat in the stall with her, so she would get used to having me around. She sniffed around and stuck her nose in my lap and then in my face, to get lots of kisses! She went to get some hay and then came back and ate it next to me.

awwwwwwwwwww i love pony


Sandra told me today that if(/when) I buy Cativa, I can have her fancy $500 rolled leather bridle. It was Cativa's mommy's bridle and came from england....and has a beautiful rainbow crystal browband!

yay pretty lady

Anyways, thats all for today.
Hopefully I'll get back to the barn on Tuesday, before I come home next weekend.


My friend and I are going to greenhawk tomorrow so I might pick up a thing or two for Cativa...depending on what I see! I really want a set of brushes for just her

When I come back from NL I'll be bringing up two halters, one leather one (from JessicaB) and my purple one with stars. She's going to be so cute!

[Biz]

Sounds great Gill! It's so exciting to work with young horses isn't it. They're so innocent and sponge-like. They take everything in. Weither they agree to do it or not, or completely understand it, they're just learning so quickly!! So even the little things mean so much!

Congrats on the accomplishments so far, and good luck with all of it!!

[Mellu]

Aaaawh Gill.

So cute. What a girl ♥.
I hope to meet heeeeeeeer!

Prancer hates having her belly touched too.
Though, she doesn't mind her legs at all.

[nat]

yay gill..sounds amazing, can't wait to see pix..hope you do end up getting her!!!

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks guys.

If I get to go to the barn on Tuesday I'm going to pick up a disposable camera so I can bring home some pictures for everyone

[happilyeverafter]

Didnt go to the barn on Tuesday, so I'm not going to see Cativa or Enzo for about 2 weeks. on monday however, when I went to Greenhawk to get Michelle's package, I picked up a purple fortiflex personal pail and a bag of apple treats.

They're for Cativa...and she will share with Enzo of course.

[happilyeverafter]

I checked my email this evening to find this waiting for me....


Hi Gillian

Guess you'll be returning tomorrow; hope you've had a splendid week with
family and old friends and your "home" horses. It's been too cold all week
to ride, but I was out to the barn today. I just have to pass on Cativa's
interesting behaviour. to you.

I was on my way out to bring Jaye in; he was in the furthest corner and
wouldn't come, the wind was blowing and it was b----y cold, and I was not
thinking about Cativa or about you. (sorry) Cativa greeted me (unusual); I
gave her a quick pat and hello and kept on going, intent on getting Jaye.
Cativa followed me (again, unusual). When I turned back to her to give her a
better greeting she tucked her nose into the crook of my elbow (really
unusual; she's been stand-offish with everybody and has no particular
connection to me!) and, I swear, asked: "Where's Gillian?" Sandra would
probably poo-poo this, and so may you, but when I went into her stall later
in the day to give her hay she repeated the behaviour, lowering her head,
gently tucking her nose under my arm, and maybe I have an over-active
imagination, but I "heard" the same question. I was hurrying, doing hay all
up and down the barn; I wasn't in there to pass the time of day with her,
and again, I wasn't particularly thinking of you. I was surprised both times
it happened. She may have figured out that you turn up with me; they're far
from stupid, and have excellent memories as you know.

My St. John's friend may be visiting briefly in March and Rebecca will be
home on break; it would be fun if we could persuade you to come for dinner.

Looking forward to having you back,
Christina



....guess I'm stuck with her, eh?



awww pony

[Kayla D]

awww thats sooo sweet!
she meant for you gill.

[happilyeverafter]

Got another email from Christina...seems that Sandra agrees Cativa was missing me:

"Hi Gillian

Tuesday is supposed to be -4, no bad weather, so if you're clear at school,
I'll pick you up as soon after 2:30 as you can get to Tunny's. Let's confirm
this Monday night.

I mentioned what Cativa had done yesterday, and before I'd half done, Sandra
said: "Ahhh . . . she's missing her person! Take her out a carrot when you
go." So I guess I read Cativa's message right. They are clever beasties,
aren't they!

Talk to you tomorrow - hope your flight is on time and uneventful!

Christina"




As you can tell, I'm going to the barn tomorrow. I cant wait to see the horses! YAY!

[happilyeverafter]

So today was my first day back after reading week and I was so happy to see all the horses and people at Apple Hill again. Tonight was also a pretty big night for Cativa as it was the first time anyone has been on her back. I'll start from the beginning


Got to the barn and Sandra was tacking up her 14 yr old warmblood mare, Collina (pronounced Kah-leen-ah) to go for a ride. I havent seen Sandra school yet (i've seen her get on for five minutes to "fix problems", but not to actually ride) so Christina, Myself and Lise-Anne (who used to own Cativa's mommy!) went out to the arena and watched the ride.

Sandra and Collina are fabulous! Collina is pretty hot when she wants to be, but today she was really well behaved....and she has only been ridden 3 times in the past couple of months!


Anyway, when they were finished Christina and I went and got John and Cativa from the field. When we went out Cativa was standing by herself near the gate, I called out to her and she stared at me with her ears pricked. When I went over to her, she sniffed me up and down (stuck her nose right in my face!) and then cuddled right into my side!!!! It was pretty darn cute. Once she was inside I went back and brought Enzo in too.

I worked with Enzo first today as usual. We decided to give him lots of treats while bridling...it took about 10 minutes but after alot of patience on my part and a lot of being-annoying on his, we finally managed to get the bit in his mouth and get everything buckled up! We walked around the arena for about 20 minutes and then called it a day- there were 2 people riding and another horse being handwalked and Enzo was so well behaved that we didnt want to push it!


After that I went back and started with Cativa. First I tried on her new halter- aka my old purple one with the red stars. It fits her really well and she looks SUPER adorable in it...not to mention that Sandra thinks its the best thing ever. YAY! haha I figured she wouldnt like it but she actually adores it. Fabulous

After that I groomed and tacked up...today Cativa got to use her fancy rolled bridle with the rainbow crystal browband- it was her mommy's! Not only did she use the "big girl bridle", but we also put it on like a "big horse"! No more fussing with the bit ---- yay

I took her out in the arena and walked around for a few minutes while waiting for Sandra to come out so she could lunge.

Sandra came out with the lunge line in hand, stopped, watched Cativa and I for a second and then said "You're going to get on tonight!". My Initial reaction was "....what?" But Sandra just laughed and went to get my helmet.

Basically this is how it works. I stand on the step stool, Sandra holds Cativa. I put my weight on Cativa's back and then slowly slide onto her so that I'm lying on my tummy on her back. Then Christina pulls the stool away (just incase Cativa freaks out!) and then she holds my legs up so Cativa doesnt get freaked out.

Cativa was a good girl! I was on for a few minutes first and we just let her stand still while she got used to me on her back. Then I got off and we gave her a 5 minute break. Then I got back on and Sandra walked us for a bit. The horses outside started running around and Cativa got confused so I got off!

Sandra said that she was being really good so we should leave it there...

YAY PONY!!!
I'm sooooooooooooo proud of Cativa. She was a superstar tonight!



Christina told me that when she backed John she only spent 2 or 3 rides lying on her tummy before she started putting a leg over...if Cativa goes as well as John I'll be able to sit up like normal by the time I go home for the summer.

I'm SO thrilled...I cant wait to go back on Saturday!